Psalms 78:72

Verse Psalms 78:72. So he fed them] Here David is mentioned as having terminated his reign. He had fed the people, according to the integrity of his heart, for that was ever disposed to do the will of God in the administration of the kingdom: and his hand being skilful in war, he always led them out to victory against their enemies.

ANALYSIS OF THE SEVENTY-EIGHTH PSALM

The psalmist, considering that it is God's command that his works be not forgotten, but that the father should deliver his former doings to posterity, that they might be to them both comfort and instruction, deter them from sin, and persuade them to fear God, gives in this Psalm a long catalogue of God's dealings with his people, even from their coming out of Egypt to the conclusion of the reign of David.

There are three principal parts in this Psalm: -

I. A preface, in which the psalmist exhorts men to learn and declare the way of God, Psalms 78:1.

II. A continued narrative of God's administration among the people, and their stubbornness, disobedience, and contumacy; together with the punishments which God inflicted upon them, Psalms 78:9.

III. His mercy, manifested in the midst of judgment; that he did not cut them off, but, after the rejection of Ephraim, (Israel,) made choice of Judah, Zion, and David.

I. In the PREFACE or exordium he labours to gain attention: "Give ear, O my people," Psalms 78:1.

1. Shows that he is about to deliver doctrines and precepts from heaven. It is God's law, and it should be heard: 1. For its excellence, Psalms 78:2. 2. For its certainty, Psalms 78:3.

2. He shows the end, which is another argument for attention. 1. It must not be hidden from their children, that God might be praised, Psalms 78:4. 2. And his power magnified; and 3. His people edified, Psalms 78:5.

Then follow the duties of their children, which are three: 1. That they might know God, his law, his works, Psalms 78:6. 2. That they might trust in him, Psalms 78:7. 3. That they might be obedient, Psalms 78:8.

II. The NARRATION. Their fathers were stubborn and rebellious, of which he gives several examples: -

1. In Ephraim: "They turned back in the day of battle," Psalms 78:9.

2. They kept not the covenant of God, Psalms 78:10.

3. They forgat his works in Egypt, Psalms 78:11.

The psalmist extends this narrative, and shows, 1. God's goodness; 2. Israel's obstinacy; 3. Their punishment.

I. His goodness in bringing them out of Egypt in such a marvellous way, Psalms 78:12. 1. He divided the Red Sea, Psalms 78:13. 2. He made the waters to stand on a heap, Psalms 78:13.

1. His care in guiding them: 1. In the daytime by a cloud, Psalms 78:14. 2. In the night by fire, Psalms 78:14.

2. His love in providing for them. 1. He clave the rock that they might have water, Psalms 78:15. 2. He caused these waters to follow them as rivers, Psalms 78:16. 3. And thus they had an abundant supply, Psalms 78:16.

II. Israel's obstinacy. 1. They sinned. 2. More and more. 3. Provoked the Holy One of Israel, Psalms 78:17.

They were incredulous.

1. They tempted God by desiring other supplies than his providence had designed. He gave them manna; they would have flesh.

2. They questioned his power, Psalms 78:19.

3. They were foolishly impatient, and must have immediately whatever they thought proper, else they murmured. They said, 1. He smote the rock, and the water gushed out. 2. But can he give bread also? Psalms 78:20.

III. Their punishment. 1. The Lord was wroth, Psalms 78:21. Psalms 78:2. A fire was kindled. 3. Because they believed him not, nor trusted in his salvation, Psalms 78:22.

He provided manna for them; an especial blessing, on various considerations.

1. It came from heaven, Psalms 78:23.

2. It came abundantly. He "rained it down," Psalms 78:24.

3. It was most excellent: "Man did eat angels' food," Psalms 78:25.

Weary of this, they desired flesh. In this also God heard them. 1. He brought quails. 2, In abundance. 3. Brought them to and about the camp, so that they had no labour to find them, Psalms 78:25-19; Psalms 78:28. 4. They were all gratified with them, Psalms 78:29.

See God's justice in their punishment, and the cause of it. 1. They were "not estranged from their lust," Psalms 78:30. 2. His wrath came upon them. 3. It came suddenly. 4. It slew them. 5. Even the chief of them, Psalms 78:31.

See their sin notwithstanding. 1. For all this, they sinned yet more. 2. They were incredulous, Psalms 78:32. 3. He caused them to consume their days in vanity. 4. And their years (forty long years) in trouble, Psalms 78:33.

They began apparently to relent. 1. They sought him. 2. They returned. 3. They sought after God. 4. They remembered that he was their Rock. 5. And the Most High their Redeemer, Psalms 78:34-19.

But in this, their apparent amendment, they were guilty - 1. Of hypocrisy, Psalms 78:36. 2. Of insincerity, Psalms 78:37. 3. Of instability: "They were not steadfast in his covenant," Psalms 78:37.

On a review of this, the prophet extols the goodness of God that bore with such a people.

1. He opened to them the fountain of mercy: "He being full of compassion."

2. He displayed an act of this mercy: "He forgave their iniquity."

3. Though he punished in a measure, yet he restrained his vindictive justice, and destroyed them not, Psalms 78:38.

His motives for this tenderness: 1. He remembered that they were but flesh. 2. That, their probation once ended, their state was fixed for ever, Psalms 78:39. See the note. Psalms 78:39.

He proceeds with the story of their rebellions. 1. They provoked him often in the wilderness. 2. They grieved him in the desert, Psalms 78:40. 3. They returned to sin, tempted him. 4. Insulted him. 5. And forgat all his past mercies, Psalms 78:41-19. More particularly, 1. They remembered not his hand, Psalms 78:42. 2. Nor his signs in Egypt, Psalms 78:44.

The wonders which he wrought in Egypt. Five of the plagues mentioned: -

First plague. He turned their rivers into blood, Psalms 78:44.

Fourth plague. He sent divers flies, Psalms 78:45.

Second plague. The frogs destroyed them, Psalms 78:45.

Eighth plague. The locusts, Psalms 78:46.

Seventh plague. Their vines, c. were destroyed, Psalms 78:47.

1. He cast upon them the fierceness of his wrath. 2. Sent evil angels among them. 3. And made a path for his anger, Psalms 78:49.

The first plague. He gave their life to the pestilence, Psalms 78:50.

The last plague. He slew their first-born, Psalms 78:51.

He now gives a recital of God's mercy in the following particulars:

1. He brought his people through the Red Sea, Psalms 78:52.

2. He guided them as a flock.

3. He kept them in safety, Psalms 78:53.

4. He did not suffer them still to wander, but brought them, - 1. To the border of his sanctuary. 2. Even to Mount Zion. 3. Cast out the heathen before them. 4. And divided them an inheritance by lot, Psalms 78:54 Psalms 78:55.

Yet still, 1. "They tempted and provoked him." 2. "Kept not his testimonies." 3. "Turned aside" from his worship. 4. Were unfaithful. 5. And idolatrous, Psalms 78:55-19.

For this, - 1. God's wrath grows more hot against the people. 2. He greatly abhorred Israel. 3. Forsook the tabernacle. 4. Delivered up the ark. 5. Gave the people to the sword. 6. Gave up the priests to death. 7. And brought upon them general desolation, Psalms 78:59-19.

Once more, God - 1. Remembers them in mercy. 2. Fixes his tabernacle among them. 3. Chooses David to be their king. 4. During the whole of whose days they had prosperity in all things, Psalms 78:65-19.

Behold here the goodness and severity of God. Reader, learn wisdom by what those have suffered.